This Affordable Seiko-Powered Diver Has a Steel Sports Watch Edge

To call the durian a divisive fruit is an understatement. Its intimidating exterior and putrid-smelling interior make most people steer clear.

But others find that the sweet and savory pulp, with a flavor somewhere between vanilla and caramel, and a custard-like texture, outweighs the bristly first impression.

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Malaysian microbrand Revelot stands firmly in the latter camp and has created a special-edition reference of its Hexmariner dive watch to prove it. For the team behind this young start-up, enjoying the challenging Malaysian delicacy is a point of pride.

The brand’s marquee dive watch features a green and yellow color scheme and a couple of small dial details to communicate its allegiance to the King of Fruits, as durian is affectionately known.

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As the fledgling watch brand, which launched with a Kickstarter campaign in 2021, describes it, the durian is “loud, provocative and proudly local, it speaks to a way of life that’s unafraid of standing out.” Those qualities can certainly help Revelot make a name in a crowded market.

King of Fruits

Revelot’s Hexmariner didn’t take much adjusting to represent the durian. The design blends a classic mid-century dive watch with 1970s steel sports watch elements like sharp geometry and a slightly industrial feel.

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The angular case, knurled bezel, hexagonal applied hour markers and pyramidal dial texture already evoked the fruit’s thorny exterior. All it took was a fresh paint job to make the connection.

Revelot added a small durian medallion to the seconds hand, resembling a skewered martini olive, to drive home the point. Another, more subtle detail is the “KING OF FRUITS” etched into the chapter ring.

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Another durian appears on the back as a graphic printed on the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback. It is framed by a screw-down caseback ring with an etching of each watch’s number from the 88-piece limited edition run.

A diver, nonetheless

Despite the tongue-in-cheek theme, the Hexmariner 39 Durian is a respectable dive watch. It has a 39mm stainless steel case fitted with a screw-down crown protected by crown guards.

The large unidirectional dive bezel has a spiky knurled grip and a ceramic insert with a 15-minute segment. While the dial may feel a bit busy, the applied hour markers and hands are clearly legible.

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The hexagonal hour markers and the hour and minute hands have Super-LumiNova inserts. The signed crown is also coated in Swiss lume.

This prickly dive watch is powered by a Seiko caliber HN35 automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve. It is the wholesale version of the same movement that powers most of the Seiko 5 Sports collection.

With a price on par with Seiko’s entry-level dive watches and the same movement, Revelot offers a fun and unique alternative to the genre-leading 5 Sports.

Availability and pricing

The Revelot Hexmariner 39 Durian will be available on July 18 from the brand for $325. This is an Early Bird price offered to anyone who signs up for the pre-launch email.

After launch, the price will be closer to $400, which is still an excellent bargain for this fun and capable dive watch.

Revelot offers an angular three-link steel bracelet with a five-hole micro-adjustable clasp, or a sliding adjustable clasp for a slight up-charge. A five-link steel bracelet is also available for the base price.

It is a limited edition of only 88 pieces.

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Revelot Hexmariner 39 Durian

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Seiko caliber NH35 automatic
Water Resistance	200m

• $325 at Revelot

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